Abuse and Abandonment of Galgos(similiar to greyhounds) in Spain

The galgo, a breed of dog native to Spain, is similar to a greyhound.
Because they have particular stamina, galgos are used to hunt rabbits and
boars on the Spanish plains.

The abuse that many Spanish galgos experience revolves around two main
issues: unsanitary and inhumane breeding in puppy mills, and the abandonment
or killing of the dogs by hunters.

Galgos are often bred in an environment with little or no compassion for
animals. They may be kept in continuously dark barns, starved for food and
attention. These dogs are seen as commodities—to be used for hunting and
breeding only. They are over-bred and unvaccinated. It is common for
breeders to mate two dogs so that they can keep one or two puppies and
"dispose of" the rest of the litter.

Galgos have been mistreated for centuries. In the past, peasants often
used galgos for hunting. Because the peasants could not afford to keep the
dogs through the winter, they would often get rid of galgos by hanging the
animals from trees. After the hanging, peasants would cut down a galgo's
body and leave it for wild animals to eat.

Laws Are Not Enough

Despite animal protection laws, galgos suffer unimaginably cruel deaths
to this day. When a hunter feels a galgo is no longer in his prime, he will
often hang the dog from a tree using rope or wire. The galgo may suffer for
minutes or for hours, depending on the hunter's judgment of his dog's
skills. If he believes the dog was a poor hunter, he will ensure that the
galgo suffers for a long time.

"It is an awful situation, because most hunters see galgos as only
tools," says Mireille Broeders of Greyhounds in Nood-Belgium. "It is a
tradition that dogs who have not worked hard enough for their owners are
punished in front of the other dogs. The hunters believe the dogs will work
better after they have witnessed another dog hanged, beaten or worse."
Animal protection laws and enforcement have dissuaded some hunters from
hanging or shooting galgos; however, this means that the hunters will often
abandon the dogs instead. Abandonment does not mean that galgos gallop
freely in the countryside. To a galgo, it often means suffering and
starvation. Galgos have been found deserted, with their legs broken. It is
believed that hunters break the dog's legs so the dog cannot follow him
home.

( BACKING UP THESE ACCUSATION From the WSPA -
QUOTE
"A new investigation by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
has exposed the gruesome end awaiting thousands of Spanish hunting
greyhounds, known as galgos, at the conclusion of hare hunting season.

"Investigators uncovered widespread evidence that the brutal practice of
hanging dogs in Spain continues to this day. Dead greyhounds were discovered
in shallow graves or lying under the tree where they were hung, rope still
tied around their necks. The remains of others were found tossed
unceremoniously on trash heaps or simply left to rot, still dangling at the
end of a noose. Investigators also found that attempts were made to crudely
cremate some galgos, the dogs set on fire where they hung.

"Perhaps most sickening was the discovery that poorly performing dogs are
hung low so they experience the agonizingly slow, "piano player" death,
named after the way their legs frantically scramble in a vain attempt to
touch the ground. Unwanted galgos may also be stoned, tied up and left to
starve, staked in a pond to drown or thrown into wells and set on fire.
Those who have raced well are afford a more "favorable" end -they're hung
high so they will strangle more quickly.

"WSPA estimates that tens of thousands of galgos are being bred and
killed annually in rural areas. Says WSPA investigator Alistair Findlay, "It
is scandalous that Spain, a country currently holding presidency of the
European Union, is allowing man's best friend to be so cruelly and callously
abused in this manner. This is a graphic example of why a national animal
welfare law is so desperately needed in Spain."
UNQUOTE)

API report continued... The federal animal protection law in Spain,
passed in 2003, specifies that any person who causes death or serious harm
to an animal will receive a prison sentence of three months to one year.
Unfortunately, Spain's devolved government makes enforcement across diverse
and autonomous regions difficult, especially when local level politicians
are sometimes the people who hunt with galgos. Actual prosecution is rare.

Some Progress Being Made

There is some encouraging news. Pressure from fellow EU countries is
mounting on Spain to make real changes. Hundreds of European citizens have
petitioned the European Parliament, asking it to intervene and halt this
widespread cruelty against galgos and racing greyhounds. In 2006, protesters
delivered a petition signed by 50,000 people to the Minister of the
Environment in Madrid, demanding that hunting with galgos be outlawed. In
November 2007, Spain took a step forward in animal welfare protection by
closing down a dog "shelter" in Puerto Real after allegations of widespread
animal abuse. Fines and jail time are also being better enforced, largely
due to pressure from individual activists and animal welfare organizations.

What You Can Do

Several animal protection groups in Spain and elsewhere in Europe are
fighting against these cruel practices. We invite you to learn more about
these organizations and how you can help them protect Spanish galgos: